Paint can device



June 11, 1957 M; CHRISTQPHER 2,795,405

PAINT CAN DEVICE 7 Filed Feb. 7, 1955 EL CHRISTOPHER INVENTOR.

nited States PatentO PAINT CAN DEVICE Michael Christopher, Blair, Nebr.

Application February 7, 1955, Serial No. 486,620

3 Claims. (Cl. 259-122) This invention relates to attachments for paint cans of the [type having friction covers, such as a cover having an annular ridge, U-shaped in cross section on the under surface and a can having a rim with a groove for receiving the ridge of the cover and wherein paint is used from the can as it is applied with a brush, and in particular a circular plate having a shaft extended therethrough and rotatably mounted therein with paint stirring elements on the lower end of the shaft and adapted to be positioned in a can with the plate on an open end thereof, and a crank on the extended end of the shaft, whereby solids of paint accumulated in the lower part of the can are adapted to be mixed with the body of the paint in the can by rotating the crank and wherein the bottom of the groove of the rim of the can is adapted to be pierced by pointed prongs extended from the under surface of the plate and positioned to register with the groove to prevent rotation of the plate as the crank is turned and also to provide drain openings in the groove so that paint accumulating in the groove drops into the can. I

The purpose of this invention is to provide agitating means for paint in a paint can and also anchoring means for retaining the agitating means in position on a can as the agitating means is operated.

Conventional paint cans remain stationary in storage warehouses and also on display shelves in retail stores, and with the cans in upright positions heavy or solid matter in paint in the cans settles to the bottom so that it is necessary to stir the paint thoroughly before it can be used. In using paint from cans of the friction cover type the annular groove for receiving the ridge of the cover fills with paint resulting from Wiping paint brushes on the inner edge of the rim and as it is difficult to recover the paint from the groove much of this paint is lost.

With these thoughts in mind this invention contemplates an accessory for conventional paint cans that is adapted to be anchored on a paint can after the cover is removed and in which agitating elements adapted to be positioned in the can may be actuated by a crank positioned above the can and wherein the anchoring elements provide drain openings in a cover retaining groove or trough in the upper end of the can.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a device adapted to be positioned on a paint can after the cover of the can is removed with which the contents of the can may be stirred before paint is used from the can. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide anchoring means for retaining a device for stirring paint in a can in position on a can as the device is actuated.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an accessory for conventional paint cans wherein a pair of brushes inserted in a paint can after the cover is removed are adapted to be actuated for mixing the paint in the can from the exterior of the can.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accessory for conventional paint cans that is adapted to 7, 2,795,405 Patented June 11, 11957 be installed on the open end of a can after the cover is removed whereby brushes in the can are adapted to be moved around the interior of the can by a crank above the can in which the device is anchored in operative position on the can by prongs adapted to penetrate an annular cover retaining groove in a rim at the end of the can and wherein the prongs pierce the bottom of the groove providing drain openings therein through which paint in the groove may pass into the can.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an accessory for paint cans whereby relatively solid matter accumulated in the lower portion of the can may be thoroughly mixed with the body of the paint of the can in which the device may readily be removed, cleaned, and reused.

And a still further object is to provide a device for stirring paint in a can that is adapted to be anchored to the end of the can after the cover is removed and in which the anchoring means forms drain openings in a groove in the top of the can in which the device is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a circular plate or disc adapted to be positioned on the end of a paint can, prongs extended from the under surface of the plate and positioned to pierce a cover retaining groove in the end of the can, a vertically disposed shaft rotatably mounted in the center of the plate, a crank on the outer end of the shaft, and a pair of brushes carried by the lower end of the shaft and adapted to be positioned in the lower part of the can.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a conventional paint can with the cover of the can removed and showing the stirring device carried by a circular plate anchored on the end of the can.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the paint stirring accessory and illustrating a tab providing a handle extended from the edge of the circular plate positioned on the end of the can.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above-referred-to drawings, is is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration, and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any way departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention, it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, and in the following specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout and in which the numeral 10 refers to the invention in its entirety, numeral 12 indicating a circular plate having spaced prongs 14 extended from the under surface, numeral 16 a vertically disposed shaft rotatably mounted in the plate, numeral 18 an arm providing a crank positioned on the upper end of the shaft and having a roller 20 thereon, and numerals 22 and 24 brushes mounted on arms 26 and 28 of a Ushaped section 30 carried by an offset section 32 extended from the lower portion of the shaft 16.

The plate 12 is provided with a hub 34 in which the shaft is rotatably mounted and the upper end of the shaft is provided with a square portion 36 on which an end 38 of the arm 18 is positioned. The end 38 is provided with a square opening 40 in which the portion 36 of the shaft is positioned and the opposite end of the arm 18 is provided with a stud 42 on which the roller 20 is rotatably mounted.

The lower portion of the shaft 16 is offset from a point 44 to a point 46 at which the shaft is connected to one end of the arm 28 on which the brush 24 is positioned.

The bristles of the brushes may be made of wire, a suitable plastic, or of other material.

The prongs 14 are positioned to register withan annular friction groove 48 of a rim 50 of a paint can 52 whereby with the plate 12 positioned on the end of the can the prongs are adapted to be forced through the lower surface of the groove, piercing the groove, and providing drain openings whereby paint accumulating in the groove may drain back into the can after the prongs are removed. With the prongs extended through openings, such as the openings 54 in the groove the plate 12 is anchored in position on the end of the can so that the brushes may be actuated by the crank without danger of the plate sliding to one side of the can.

The plate 12 is also provided with a tab 56 forming a handle to facilitate removing the plate from a can and also to provide means for holding the plate as it is posi- .tioned on a can.

Although two brushes are disclosed it will be understood that any suitable number of brushes may be used and it will also be understood that the plate 12 may be provided in different sizes to accommodate paint cans of different sizes.

From the foregoing specification, it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering what it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be new and desired to be procured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a paint can accessory, the combination which comprises a circular plate having a hub providing a bearing in the center, prongs extended from the under surface, and a tab providing a handle extended from the edge, said prongs being positioned to anchor the plate on the end of a can and also adapted to pierce the lower surface of a friction cover retaining groove in a rim on the end of the can to provide drain openings in said groove, a shaft having a square upper end and an offset lower end rotatably mounted in the bearing of the plate, a crank having an end with a square opening therein. adapted to be positioned on the square upper end of the shaft and having a stud extended upwardly from the op posite end, a roller rotatably mounted on said stud, said offset portion of the lower end of the shaft extending from an arm of a horizontally disposed U-shaped section having spaced parallel arms, and cylindrical brushes positioned on the arms of said U-shaped section of the shaft.

2. In a paint can accessory, the combination which comprises a circular plate having a hub providing a bearing in the center, prongs extended from the under surface, said prongs being positioned to anchor the plate on the end of a can and also adapted to pierce the lower surface of a friction cover retaining groove in a rim on the end of the can to provide drain openings in said groove, a shaft having a square upper end and an offset lower end rotatably mounted in the bearing of the plate, a crank having an end with a square opening therein adapted to be positioned on the square upper end of the shaft and having a stud extended upwardly from the opposite end, a roller rotatably mounted on said stud, said offset portion of the lower end of the shaft extending from an arm of a horizontally disposed U-shaped section having spaced parallel, arms, and cylindrical brushes positioned on the arms of said U-shaped section of the shaft.

3. In an agitator for a paint container, the combination which comprises a container having an open upper end with a friction groove in an inwardly disposed annular rim in said open upper end, a circular plate positioned on the upper end of the container and having prongs extended into openings produced thereby in the friction groove, a vertically disposed shaft rotatably mounted in the circular plate, a crank on the upper end of the shaft for manually rotating the shaft, and a pair of cylindrical brushes carried by the lower end of the shaft and positioned in parallel relation in a horizontal plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,290,333 Pattison Jan. 7, 1919 1,436,692 Black Nov. 28, 1922 2,061,547 Bumpus Nov. 24, 1936 2,428,953 Adams Oct. 14, 1947 

